Mop making apparatus



Aug. 13, 1963 E. BENNETT ETAL 3,100,670

MOP MAKING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 21, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORJ.[ARA/E57 L. 8NN7T BY MAI/110 F. 5112M? 1963 E. L. BENNETT ETAL 3,100,670

. MOP MAKING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 21, 1961 i 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 g .f 1AAJWA I I lfl Z [Z INVENTORS. EAENEST L. BEA/N577 1963 E. L. BENNETTETAL 3,100,670

MOP MAKING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 21, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS.EARNEsT L. BENNETT ahd BY DONALD E BURNS xckwwd, (duodenal, Smdk :Wuhm

ATToms Ys United States Patent 3,190,676 MOP MAKENG APPARATUS Earnest L.Bennett and Donald F. Burns, Indianapolis, Ind, assignors to .l. I.Holcomb Manufacturing Company, 1nd, indianapolis, Ind, a corporation ofIndiana Filed Sept. 21, 1961, Ser. No. 139,763 9 Claims. (Cl. MiG-16)The present invention relates to an apparatus for making mops or swabssuch as are used for cleaning toilet bowls and the like.

In the past, the making of swabs has involved, to a large extent, manualoperations. Even in situations where apparatus is available forperforming some of the operations necessary in swab making, still manyoperations have been performed manually. Furthermore, certain of thesemanual operations require the exertion of a relatively great amount offorce which presents difficulties especially with female labor.Consequently, one object of the present invention is to provideautomatic apparatus for making swabs.

A further object of the present invention is to provide swab makingapparatus incorporating automatic means for doubling yarn to be used inthe swabs and incorporating automatic means for ejecting the finishedswabs from the apparatus.

Related objects and advantages will become apparent as the descriptionproceeds.

One embodiment of the present invention comprises a swab makingapparatus including a plurality of cutters, a plurality of handlereceiving seats, a yarn supply located adjacent one end of saidplurality of seats, means for drawing yarn from said supply through saidseats, means for drawing yarn from said supply away from said seats,means for ejecting handles from said seats, and control means foractuating in order said second yarn drawing means, said first yarndrawing means, said cutters, and said handle ejecting means.

The full nature of the invention will be understood from theaccompanying drawings and the following description and claims:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a handle making up a part of the finishedswab.

FIG. 2 is a View of the handle similar to FIG. 1 taken in a dilferentdirection.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the finished swab.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of swab making apparatus embodying thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the distal end of a piston forming apart of the structure of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a horizontal section through handle receiving seats andcutters forming a part of the structure of FIG. 4, said section beingtaken generally along line 6-6 of FIG. 4.

FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 are schematic top plan views of the structure of FIG. 4showing various steps in the operation thereof.

FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 are side elevations of a portion of the frame of thestructure of FIG. 4 showing various steps in the ejection of finishedswabs from the apparatus.

FIGS. 13 and 14 are schematic views of pneumatic and electricalactuating systems of the present invention.

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of theinvention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated inthe drawing and specific language will be used to describe the same. Itwill nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of theinvention is thereby intended, such alterations and furthermodifications in the illustrated device, and such further applicationsof the principles of the invention as illustrated therein beingcontemplated as would normally 3-,lll0,670 Patented Aug. 13, 1963 iceoccur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, it can be seen that the swab produced by thepresent invention comprises a handle having a ring or circular portion11 formed integrally on one end thereof. In making the swab, yarn 12(preferably plastic fibers known as acrilan) are drawn through the ring11 and are cut off to form the ball shape illustrated in FIG. 3. it hasbeen found that by merely cutting a length of such yarn extendingthrough the ring 11 with a straight cut, the natural fluffing out of theyarn produces the desired curved ball shape shown in FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 4, the swab making apparatus embodying the presentinvention comprises a frame 14 having a plurality of side-by-side blocksfixed thereto. Each of the blocks 15 has an upwardly opening, generallyC-shape which is aligned with adjacent blocks to provide a centralchannel 16 for the passage therethrough of yarn and of a piston rod 17.In the illustrated embodiment, four of the blocks 15 are provided,however, it should be understood that any suitable number such as eightor ten, if desired, can be used. Each of the blocks 15 is provided withan indentation 20 formed to snugly receive handle 10 and an indentation21 suitably formed to snugly receive the ring end 11 of the handle 1d.

A reel 22 of yarn is rotatably mounted upon a lower table 25 forming apart of the frame and provides a yarn supply through the opening 26 inan upper table 27. As mentioned, the piston rod 17 is movable orextensible through the channel 16 in the various blocks 15'. Inalignment with the channel 16 is an opening in the upright 29 formingpart of the frame 10, this opening 30 being adjacent the opening 26 inthe table 27. By suitable operation of the pneumatic piston 31, thepiston rod 17 thereof may be extended through the channel 16 and throughthe opening 36. For a reason that will be evident below, the opening 3%tapers from a larger end at the face 33 of member 29 to a smaller end atthe hidden face thereof (as viewed in FIG. 4).

The distal end of the piston rod :17 is formed in the peculiar mannerillustrated in FIG. 5 and includes a slot 32 which leads into angularlyextending bores 35. A flexible length of wire 36 or the like (FIG. 6)having balls 37 fixed on the end thereof is used with the slot 32 andthe bores to secure a loop 40 of yarn to the distal end of the pistonrod 17. This yarn may then be drawn through the channel 16 toward thecylinder of the piston 31.

Both the piston motor 31 and a further piston motor 41 are mounted inparallel relation upon a table 42' forming a part of the frame. Bothpiston motors 31 and 41 have an equal stroke. The piston rod 42,however, is relatively long so that, when retracted, its end is locatedjust to the left of the block 45. The block 45, as well as the block 46,are fixed to table 27 and provide a mount for parallel bars 47' alongwhich a carriage is slidable, said carriage including side plates 49mounting bearings 48 received on shafts 47. The piston rod 42 of thepiston 41 is fixed to one side plate '49 of carriage 50, provides amotive force thereto and is slidable through the block 45.

The carriage 50 has mounted thereon clamping 'jaws 51 and 52, jaw 52being fixed to the side plates 49 by bottom plate 55 and jaw 51 beingmovable by means of a piston motor 56 fixed to the carriage. It can beappreciated that when the piston rod 60 of the piston motor 56 isextended, the jaw 51 will engage or be forced towards the jaw 52 toclampingly engage the yarn 62.

The frame 14 further includes vertical side member parallel to sidemember 29, said side members having fixed to their upper ends ahorizontal top piece 66. Secured to the top piece is a pneumaticcylinder 67 having its piston 68 fixed to a cutter carriage 70. Fixed tothe upper surface of the carriage 70 is a pair of angles 71 which haveshafts 72 rotatably mounted therethrough. At the opposite ends of theseshafts are fixed spur gears 75, the shafts being spaced sufiioiently inorder to permit rotation of each shaft without interference with thegears of the opposite parallel shaft.

As the carriage 70 is moved upwardly and downwardly by the pneumaticpiston 67, the gears 75 travel up and down racks 76 fixed to the insidesurfaces of the vertical members 29 and 65. The shafts, gear, and rackassembly, 72, 75 and 76 maintain the carriage in a horizontal positionat all times. It can be appreciated that the gear 75 at one end of thecarriage and on a given shaft 72 cannot move vertically to a greaterextent than the gear on the same shaft at the other end of the carriagebecause the gears 75 all have the same diameter and the same number ofequal sized teeth and racks 76 are also identical. Thus, the carriage isalways maintained horizontal during its vertical movement.

Fixed to the bottom of the carriage 70 is a plurality of cutter blades77 which travel between parallel plates 80 and 81 (FIGS. 4 and 6). .Eachof the plates 80 and 81 is formed with a bore in alignment with andforming a part of the channel 16. Each of the plates 80 is formed at thelower edge of its bore with a cutting edge which cooperates with arespective one of the cutter blades 77 for shearing the loop of yarn 40.

Frame 14 further includes a table 82 fixedly mounted between thevertical upright side members 29 and 65. Resting upon this table is ahorizontal bar 85 which is used to eject the finished swabs after theyhave been provided with their yarn as in FIG. 3. The horizontal bar 85is vertically movable within guides 86 fixed to the respective sidemembers 29 and 65 and providing vertically extending apertures throughwhich the horizontal bar 8'5 can move. Upon each side of the carriage 70is mounted a latch assembly 87. A representative one of these latchassemblies is shownin FIGS. -12 in various positions occurring duringthe operation thereof.

Referring to FIGS. 10-12, there is illustrated a latch member 90pivotally mounted at 91 upon the carriage 70.

In FIG. 10, the carriage 70 is shown in its lowermost position whereinthe latching surface 92 of the latch member 90 is below the horizontalbar 85. The latch member90 is formed with a tapering surface 95 whichpermits the latch member to pivot out around the bar 85 as the carriage70 moves downwardly. A compression spring 96 operates between the upperend 97 of the latching member and themounting element 100 fixed to theside member 29. The spring 96 yieldably holds the latching member withits lower end in a leftward direction as illustrated in FIGS. 10-12.

The latching member has a cam 101 formed thereon which cooperates with acam 102 fixed to the side member 29. Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, whenthe carriage 70 moves upwardly, the cam 1'01 engages the cam 102 topivot the lower end of the latching member rightwardly to drop thehorizontal bar 85 as shown in FIG. 12. This dropping action does notoccur, however, until the bar has been raised a suflicient distance toraise and thoroughly loosen and eject the finished handles from theirseats as formed b'y'the blocks 15. It can be appreciated that becausethe latch assemblies 87 are mounted upon the carriage 70, the cuttingoperation always'occurs prior to the ejecting operation. .In otherwords, the carriage 70 always starts from and returns to an upwardposition.

{The structure illustrated in FIGS. 7-9 will be described in connectionwith a' description of the operation of the present device. In order tooperate the device, the handles such as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 areinserted into the machine into the position shown in FIGS. 4 and 6wherein the rings 11 are in alignment with the channel 16. Aconventional pneumatic hand valve 105 is then operated to provide airpressure simultaneously to the pistons 31 and 41. The pneumatic systemis so arranged that operation of the valve in one direction causes thepiston rods of both pistons to be simultaneously extended. Since theclamping device 50 is engaging the yarn 62, the extension of the pistonrod 42 causes the yarn to be drawn as suggested in FIG. 4 leftwardlyuntil the carriage 50 reaches the leftward-end of its travel. The travelof the carriage is such that the yarn 62 is drawn out to an extentwhereby the length of the drawn-out yarn, taken from opening 26 toclamping device 50, is equal to the travel of the piston rod 17.

Simultaneously, with the extension of piston rod 42, the piston rod 17is extended until it projects leftwardly as viewed in FIG. 4 through andout of the bore 30 in the side member 29. When the carriage 50 reachesthe leftward end of its travel, it engages a limit switch 106 (FIGS.7-9) mounted on the upper table 27. Engagement of this limit switchoperates an air valve 108 (FIG. 14) reversing it and causing retractionof the'piston rod 60 of the piston motor 56, thus releasing the clampingaction on the yarn 62. The operator then, by means of the flexible .wire36 and the balls 37 on the end thereof, attaches that portion of theyarn which is then at the opening 26 to the end of the piston rod 17.

The hand valve 105 is then reversed causing retraction of both piston 42and 17. The retraction of the two piston rods causes the yarn to bedrawn in a doubled relation (from the portion 62 and reel 22) throughthe bore 30 and the channel 16 and also causes the clamping device 51 tobe moved rightwardly to a position adjacent the bore 30 where it isready to clamp yarn. The tapered configuration of the opening 30 reducesthe size of the doubled loop of yarn without cutting or tearing thereof.A further limit switch 107 mounted on the frame 10 (FIGS. 7-9) isengaged and actuated by the actuating arm 110 fixed to the piston rod42. The limit switch 107 actuates an air valve 109 controlling the airpressure to the pneumatic cylinder 67 causing the carriage 70 to bemoved downwardly and the cutter blades 77 to cut through the yarn. Theactuation of limit switch 107 also causes the valve controlling air tothe piston 56 to be reversed to cause actuation of the clamping device51 whereby the yarn is clamped at or adjacent the indentation 26. Itwill be appreciated that the yarn will be extending between the opening26 and the opening 30 so that the jaws of the clamping device will passon opposite sides of the yarn prior to the closing of the jaws.

A further limit switch 111 is provided which is in the path of thecarriage 70. When the carriage reaches its lowermost position, the limitswitch is actuated causing reversal of the valve controlling airpressure to the pneumatic cylinder 67 whereby the piston rod 68 reversesthe direction of the carriage. As explained above, the upward movementof the carriage 70 causes the bar 85 to be raised thus ejecting thefinished handles from the apparatus.

Referring to FIG. 13, there is illustrated the pneumatic system ofactuation of the cylinders 31 and 41. As mentioned on page 11, the handvalve 105 may be operated in two directions. When the hand valve isoperated in one direction, the piston rods 17 and 42 are simultaneouslyextended by reason of the fact that the pneumatic inlet is connected toone end 151 and 152 of the pneumatic cylinders 31 and 41 by means of aforked conduit 155. When the valve 105 is in said position, the otherends 156 and 157 of the cylinders 31 and 41 are connected to atmospherethrough the forked conduit 160, the valve 105 and the outlet 161. Whenthe valve 105 is reversed as mentioned in column 4, line 25, the twopiston rods 17 and 42 are retracted by the connection of the pneumaticinlet 150 to the ends 156 and 157 of the cylinders 41 and 31 through theconduit 160. The ends 151 and 152 of the cylinders 31 and 41 areconnected to atmosphere through the conduit 155, the valve 105 and theconduit 161.

Referring to FIG. 14, the electrical pneumatic system of the presentembodiment is further'disclosed. The pneumatic cylinder 56 is connectedto the valve 108 by conduits 162 and 165, the conduit 162 leading intoone end 166 of the cylinder 56 and the conduit 165 leading into theother end 167 thereof. As mentioned above, the limit switches 166 and107 control the valve 103. When the limit switch 106 is actuated by thecarriage 50, the valve 108 connects the pneumatic inlet 170 to theconduit 162 and also connects the conduit 171 which leads to atmosphereto the conduit 165. Thus, pressure acts upon the piston of the cylinder56 retracting the piston rod 60 and releasing the clamping action on theyarn 6 2. When the carriage 50 moves to the other end of its travelcausing the actuator 110 to engage the limit switch 107, the electricalleads 172 carry energy to the valve 108 which reverses the valve 103 andconnects the conduit 162 to atmosphere and the conduit 165 to the inletpressure from the conduit 170. Such reversal of the valve 108 causes thepiston 60 of the motor 56 to be projected and to clamp the yarn at theyarn supply 26.

The actuation of the limit switch 107 also causes electrical energy tomove through the leads 175 actuating the valve 109 to connect thepneumatic inlet conduit 176 with the conduit 177 causing pneumaticpressure to be conducted to the upper end of the motor 67. When thevalve 1619 is in such position, the lower end 180 of the cylinder 67 isconnected to atmosphere through the conduit 181. As explained above, thecarriage 70 moves downwardly until the limit switch 111 is actuated.Engagement of the limit switch 111 actuates the valve 109 throughelectrical leads 182 connecting the valve and limit switch whereby thevalve is reversed and the pressure conduit 176 is connected to theconduit 181 leading pressure into the bottom of the cylinder. The upperend of the cylinder is connected to atmosphere through the conduit 177,the valve 109 and the conduit 183.

From the above description, it will be obvious that the presentinvention provides an improved, highly automatic apparatus for makingswabs. It will also be obvious that the present invention provides swabmaking apparatus incorporating automatic means for doubling the yarn tobe used in the swabs and also incorporates automatic means for ejectingthe finished swabs from the apparatus.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in thedrawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered asillustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood thatonly the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that allchanges and modifications that come within the spirit of the inventionand the scope of the claims are also desired to be protected.

The invention claimed is:

1. Swab making apparatus comprising a plurality of cutters, a pluralityof handle receiving seats each positioned between a pair of saidcutters, a yarn supply located 1 adjacent one end of said plurality ofseats, means for drawing yarn from said supply through said seats, meansfor drawing yarn away from said yarn supply, means for ejecting handlesfrom said seats, and control means for actuating in order for sequentialoperation said second yarn drawing means, said first yarn drawing means,said cutters and said handle ejecting means. i

*2. Swab making apparatus comprising a plurality of. cutters, aplurality of handle receiving seats each positioned between a respectivepair of said cutters, a piston motor having a piston rod extensible andretractable through said seats, connecting means at the distal end ofthe piston rod for attaching a loop of yarn thereto whereby retractionof said piston rod drawns yarn through said seats, each of said cuttershaving cutting edges positioned on opposite sides of the path of theconnecting means for the cutting of said yarn, a yarn supply at thepiston-rodextended end of the connecting means path, a further pistonmotor having a further piston rod, and a yarn clamping device mounted onthe distal end of said further piston rod, said further piston rod beingmovable by said further piston motor to move said clamping devicebetween said yarn supply and a position removed from said yarn supply bya distance equal to the travel of said first piston rod.

3. Swab making apparatus comprising a plurality of cutters, a pluralityof handle receiving seats each positioned between a respective pair ofsaid cutters, a piston motor having a piston rod extensible andretractable through said seats and through handles received in saidseats, connecting means at the distal end of the piston rod forattaching yarn thereto whereby retraction of said piston rod draws yarnthrough said seats, each of said cutters having cutting elementspositioned on opposite sides of the path of the connecting means for thecutting of said yarn, a yarn supply at the piston-rod-extended end ofthe connecting means path, a further piston motor having a turtherpistonrod arranged to travel parallel to said first piston rod, a yarnclamping device mounted on the distal end of said further piston rod,said further piston rod being movable by said further piston motor tomove said clamping device between said yarn supply and a positionremoved from said yarn supply by a distance equal to the travel of saidfirst piston rod, control means arranged to extend and retract saidpiston rods simultaneously, and further control means arranged toactuate said clamping device to clamp yarn at said yarn supply when saidpiston rods are retracted and to unclamp yarn when said piston rods areextended.

4. Swvab making apparatus comprising a plurality of cutters, a pluralityof handle receiving seats each positioned between a respective pair ofsaid cutters, a piston motor having a piston rod extensible andretractable through said seats, connecting means at the distal end ofthe piston rod for attaching yarn thereto whereby retraction of saidpiston rod draws yarn through said seats, each of said cutters havingcutting elements positioned on opposite sides of the path of theconnecting means for the cutting of said yarn, a yarn supply at thepiston-rodextended end of the connecting means path, a further pistonmotor having a further piston rod, a yarn clamping device mounted on thedistal end of said further piston rod, said further piston rod beingmovable by said further piston motor to move said clamping devicebetween said yarn supply and a position removed from said yarn supply bya distance equal to the travel of said first piston rod, means forlifting handles from said handle receiving seats, said last mentionedmeans being operated by the separation of the cutting elements of eachset of cutters.

5. Swab making apparatus comprising a frame, a pair of piston motorsmounted on said frame, said piston motors having piston rods arranged toextend and retract simultaneously, said frame having a plurality ofhandle treceiving seats along the path of one of said piston rods,

connecting means at the distal end of one piston rod for attaching yarnthereto, a yarn supply at the extended end of the one piston rods path,a yarn clamping device mounted at the distal end of said other pistonrod, said other piston rod being movable by its piston motor to positionsaid clamping device at said yarn supply when the piston rods areretracted and to position said clamping device a distance away from saidyarn supply equal to the travel of said connecting means when the pistonrods are extended, cuting means mounted on said frame and interposedbetween the respective handle receiving seats, and control meansarranged to actuate said clamping device to release yarn upon extensionof said piston rods and to clampingly engage yarn at said yarn supplyupon retraction of said piston rods, said control means being furtherarranged to actuate said cutting means upon retraction of said pistonrods.

6. Swab making apparatus comprising a frame, a plurality of cuttersmounted on said frame, each of said cutters including a cutting edgefixed with relation to said frame and a cutting edge movable withrespect to said frame, a carriage having each of said movable cuttingedges mounted thereon for movement therewith, said carriage beingvertically movable on said frame, said frame having a plurality ofhandle receiving seats each positioned between a respective pair of saidcutters, a piston mounted on said frame, said piston having a piston rodextensible and retractable through said seats, connecting means at thedistal end of the piston rod for attaching yarn thereto wherebyretraction of said piston rod draws yarn through said seats, a barmounted for vertical movement on said frame, said bar being adjacentsaid seats and movable upwardly to eject handles from said seats, alatch pivotally mounted on said carriage, resilient means arranged tourge said latch into latching relation with said bar when said carriageis in a downward position whereby upward movement of said carriagecauses said bar to eject handles, and a cam fixed to said frame andpositioned to actuate said latch during upward movement to disengagesaid bar, said bar being normally urged downwardly by gravity.

7. Swab making apparatus comprising a frame, a plurality of cuttersmounted on said frame, each of said cutters including a cutting edgefixed with relation to said frame and a cutting edge movable withrespect to: said frame, a carriage having each of said movable cuttingedges mounted thereon for movement therewith, said carriage beingvertically movable on said frame, said frame having a plurality ofhandle receiving seats each psitioned between a respective pair of saidcutters, a piston motor mounted on said frame, said piston motor havinga piston rod extensible and retractable through said seats, connectingmeans at the distal end of the piston rod for attaching yam theretowhereby retraction of said piston rod draws yarn through said seats, ayarn supply located adjacent the position of said connecting means whensaid piston rod is extended, a further piston motor having a furtherpiston rod, a clamping device mounted on the distal end of said furtherpiston rod, said further piston motor being adapted to move saidclamping means between a first position at said yarn supply and a secondposition removed from said yarn supply, control means for closing saidclamping means during movementfrom said first to said second positionand opening said clamping means during movement from said second to saidfirst position, a bar mounted for vertical movement on said firame, saidbar being adjacent said seats and movable upwardly to eject handles iromsaid seats, a latch pivotally mounted on said carriage, resilient meansarranged to urge said latch into latching relation with said bar whensaid camriage is in a downward position whereby upward movement of saidcarriage causes said bar to eject handles, and a cam fixed to said frameand positioned to actuate said latch during upward movement to disengagesaid bar, said bar being normally urged downwardly by gravity.

8. Swab making apparatus comprising a plurality of cutters, a pluralityof handle receiving seats each p osi-' tioned between a pair of saidcutters, a yarn supply located adjacentone end of said plurality ofseats, means for drawing yarn from said supply through said seats, meansfor ejecting handles from: said seats, and control means for actuatingin order for sequential operation said yarn drawing means, said cuttersand said handle ejecting means.

9. Swab making apparatus comprising a plurality of cutters, a pluralityof handle receiving seats each positioned between a pair of saidcutters, a yarn supply located adjacent one end of said plurality ofseats, means for drawing yarn from said supply through said seats, meansfor drawing yarn from said supply away from said seats, and controlmeans for actuating in order for sequential operating said second yarndrawing means, said first yarn drawing means and said cutters.

No references cited.

8. SWAB MAKING APPARATUS COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF CUTTERS, A PLURALITYOF HANDLE RECEIVING SEATS EACH POSITIONED BETWEEN A PAIR OF SAIDCUTTERS, A YARN SUPPLY LOCATED ADJACENT ONE END OF SAID PLURALITY OFSEATS, MEANS FOR DRAWING YARN FROM SAID SUPPLY THROUGH SAID SEATS, MEANSFOR EJECTING HANDLES FROM SAID SEATS, AND CONTROL MEANS FOR ACTUATING INORDER FOR SEQUENTIAL OPERATION SAID YARN DRAWING MEANS, SAID CUTTERS ANDSAID HANDLE EJECTING MEANS.